During more than a year of pandemic-related separation, lots of parents have worried (rightly so!) that their children might have trouble reconnecting with peers and forging new relationships. It’s hard to know how this extended isolation will impact our children’s social and emotional development, in the short or long term.
But so far, to my great relief, spending time in close relationship with others has come back pretty smoothly for our girls. That’s partially because our kids have each other as friends and an established neighborhood bubble. But the girls also have made close friends with brand new classmates - children they didn’t even know until very recently.
Maybe that’s because spotting a friend can be easy, if you know what to look for. As an author and writing consultant who works almost exclusively from home, I get a front-row seat for many of my girls’ special friendship moments. Through their words and actions, it’s clear to see what makes a friend a best friend.
A best friend watches you pick out your dream doll, without getting jealous.
A best friend keeps you company, when it seems dinner will never be ready.
A best friend finds you breeze, on a sweltering day at the park.
A best friend shares the load, when your arms are wary from a swim.
A best friend fires up an extra set of wheels, to double the fun.
New picture book HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND is filled with beautiful moments such as these: Specific gestures of generosity and kindness that can be mistaken for nothing other than bold, true friendship. Here’s the sweet-as-can-be cover of this story by Bea Birdsong, illustrated by Lucy Fleming (Rodale Kids), which skips onto shelves this week on June 22.
HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND is the recognition of the small-but-mighty gifts given to us by our friends, and an invitation to be a great friend to others, too. Here are three things that I love about the new picture book HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND…
Charming Premise
HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND whisks readers right into a little girl’s quest. “Today, I will find a best friend!” she proclaims, and sets out to do just that. Mama tries to temper her expectations. “It’s only the first day of school,” she says. But the girl embarks on her journey with a wide stride and nothing but confidence.
Flowers pop with positivity as the girl walks to school, and it doesn’t take her long to spot a best friend, or two, or three. From the moment she arrives in her classroom, she sees markers of friendship and best friendship everywhere. Hues of bubblegum pink, sunny gold and vibrant violet, rendered in joyful, playful textures and patterns, create a happy setting where the promise of something worth smiling for is around every corner.
Art by Lucy Fleming
Positivity & Specificity
As the main character moves from activity to classroom activity, she meets new friends, keeping her eyes peeled for kids with best-friend potential. With her positive attitude, she finds best friends everywhere. One friend works with her build a tower, then helps her rebuild it after a crash. Another friend performs a magic trick, and then goes a step further to share the secret behind it.
Each act of generosity shows how a best friend goes beyond what’s expected to add a special thoughtful touch. Birdsong gives these above-and-beyond moments such lovely, tender specificity. For instance, when the class listens to a spooky story, Birdsong writes: “A friend sits next to you when it’s time for a story. A best friend holds your hand during the scary parts.”
Art by Lucy Fleming
Inclusive & Celebratory
HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND continues in this pattern, showing readers first how to be a friend, then expanding the idea of friendship to demonstrate how an excellent friend often steps back in order to share the spotlight. While “friendship” is the meaningful umbrella, and a very age-appropriate one, it’s worth noting that these selfless acts are also early glimpses and models of leadership.
The darling cast of characters illustrated by Fleming allows many children to feel seen, and also demonstrates to young readers that kindness is something to be given to all. The stakes of these pre-school and early-grade encounters may seem low, but make no mistake, the actions that these students make and take are bold and, at times, downright brave.
Art by Lucy Fleming
Best friends can be anywhere. The sister in the bunk bed above you, or the buddy next door. The child passing by your house on a scooter, or swimming beside you in the shallow end of the pool. The ever-present possibility of friendship is something kids embrace fearlessly every day, in a myriad of circumstances. HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND celebrates the beauty of this love, which steps outside of what’s expected to extend a hand to someone who needs it.
Children will identify with classmates in these pretty pages and also be affirmed that there is great value and power in their mighty moves of friendship. And, as a grown-up kid, it reminded me that a new neighbor a few blocks down needs a brownie delivery… STAT!
The Creators
Bea Birdsong is the author of I Will Be Fierce, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani and published by Roaring Brook Press, Sam’s First Word, illustrated by Holly Hatam and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, How to Spot a Best Friend, illustrated by Lucy Fleming and published by Rodale Kids/RHCB, Goat Is the Goat, illustrated by Kelly Murphy and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, and Boop!, illustrated by Linzie Hunter and published by HarperCollins Children's Books. Bea is also a writer for the education market and a former teacher, who believes in the awesome power of books to educate, entertain, and empower. She lives in North Carolina with her family. Bea is represented by Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary Agency.
Lucy Fleming studied illustration at the University of Lincoln, then started her career as a children's book illustrator with a love for story-telling, magic and creating art. She is represented by the Bright Agency and has illustrated books with publishers such as Bloomsbury, Simon & Schuster, Walker Books, Harper Collins and more. Her first author/illustrator picture book, Ella's Night Lights, was published by Walker Books in 2020 and has been published in several languages world-wide. Lucy has always been an avid doodler and day-dreamer and never quite grew out of having her head in the clouds. When not beavering away creating books, you'll find her spending time outdoors surrounded by plant-life, sipping a hot cup of tea with her little cat playing close by.
One lucky reader will win HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND,
signed by Bea Birdsong!
1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)
2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter
3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by 6/25/21
GOOD LUCK!